New Taeguk Ladies coach accused of 2011 assault

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New Taeguk Ladies coach accused of 2011 assault

Published: 05 Sep. 2019, 17:22

Korea’s football governing body said Thursday it is investigating allegations of assault against the newly named women’s national team head coach.

Choi In-cheul

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it was trying to verify a news report from Wednesday that accused Choi In-cheul of physically and verbally abusing players during his first tour of duty with the women’s national team in 2011.

This is Choi’s second tour of duty with the women’s team. His first stint lasted from October 2010 to September 2011, during which he led Korea to the bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games. Before taking over the senior team, Choi coached the under-20 women’s team to third place at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The KFA brought him back on Aug. 29 in place of Yoon Duk-yeo, who resigned after Korea’s group stage exit at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June.

In the news report, one anonymous player was quoted as saying she contemplated quitting football because Choi’s violent ways got out of control.

Choi apparently targeted one particular national team player to hit during practices in 2011, while Korea was preparing for the 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament.

After leaving the national team, Choi enjoyed a run of six straight titles with the WK League semi-pro club Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels, and he’s accused of assaulting club players, too.

Choi had his introductory press conference on Tuesday, at which he discussed his goal of taking Korea to the Olympic women’s football tournament for the first time in 2020.

Yonhap